The most-traded May copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange rose 1.7 percent to 61,330 yuan ($9,700) a tonne at the close on Friday, tracking the LME's gains in the previous session. Copper steadied on Friday and is headed for its smallest weekly gain in a month as concerns about slow demand from top consumer China persisted despite data showing the Chinese economy is regaining momentum.
Data released on Thursday that showed an index measuring China's manufacturing activity at a five-month high calmed worries about an economic slowdown. However, some analysts say copper will remain trapped in narrow ranges unless Chinese demand perks up. "Copper is a flat story at the moment. Chinese demand used to be the driver, but now it looks like it's a dragger," said Henry Liu, head of commodity research at Mirae Asset Securities in Hong Kong.
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